Substituting Statistics for Trust
David was very successful in all of his military campaigns to take over the entire land God promised Israel. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that God gave him victory every time he marched out with the army. What a blessing! However, David became proud in the process of winning all of these great victories and receiving all of the spoils from the defeated enemies. That led him to trust in his own wisdom and in the power of the army of Israel, instead of trusting God, as he did before. He ordered Joab to take a census so he would know the exact strength of his forces. Joab warned him not to do it, but David was persistent. Once it was finished, God was very angry, and David realized his sin. David confessed his sin of substituting statistics for trust, but he was still punished by God for his terrible sin. (I Chronicles 21:8) I pray that we will not succumb to the same pride and the same sin as David.
Pride is a terrible thing. It leads us to have an exalted view of our own intellect and strength. Then, when we are successful, we can get our eyes off of God, and we can think that we have earned our success. We must never allow ourselves to fall into that pit. Please, remember that without Jesus we can do nothing. (John 15:5) The opposite is true, too. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) No matter how average we are, and no matter how many weaknesses we have, God can give us good success, as we trust His will and obey Him. In fact, we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13) Therefore, make it a decision once and for all that you will trust the Lord, not yourself or the things of this world. Then, seek His will with all your heart. When you know His will, do it fully, trusting God to work in and through you. Then, see if God doesn't give you many victories as He did for David.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 22-24.
Pride is a terrible thing. It leads us to have an exalted view of our own intellect and strength. Then, when we are successful, we can get our eyes off of God, and we can think that we have earned our success. We must never allow ourselves to fall into that pit. Please, remember that without Jesus we can do nothing. (John 15:5) The opposite is true, too. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) No matter how average we are, and no matter how many weaknesses we have, God can give us good success, as we trust His will and obey Him. In fact, we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13) Therefore, make it a decision once and for all that you will trust the Lord, not yourself or the things of this world. Then, seek His will with all your heart. When you know His will, do it fully, trusting God to work in and through you. Then, see if God doesn't give you many victories as He did for David.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 22-24.